Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China (1989)

Course evaluation:

Personal Response: I enjoyed this version of the classic folktale, particularly the fact that the wolf does not have a chance to eat anyone. The sisters are resourceful and are able to change their circumstance with their wits, a great plot line for young readers.

Evaluation: The plot of this classic tale includes many traditional motifs: the wolf as villain, use of cunning and wits to prevail, stealing the grandmother’s identity. Young’s watercolor illustrations are imperative to the text and add a sense of mystery to the story. The wolf is shown as large and dangerous from the girls’ perspective, but only in small glimpses until they realize he isn’t their grandmother. The use of picture panels and white borders move the plot forward but also break up the images, hinting at the danger and heightening the tension of the story. ( )

This Caldecott Award book is a Chinese version of Red Riding Hood. The illustrations are beautiful. ( )

I liked the story that it told it is just a scarier and more darker version of the version I am most familiar with. Learning and hearing the retold versions of the little red riding hold is a great Chinese folklore.

I found this book a bit creepy/scarier because it seems a bit more darker than the Little Red Riding Hood story I am used to.

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